THE NEW GOLD RUSH: DISCOVER THE CALIFORNIA COAST WHEN YOU LOOK AT CALIFORNIA THROUGH AN EXPLORER’S lens, there’s so much to discover; an exciting prospect for ‘Left Coast’ lovers. Take the Channel Islands, for example. Five islands spanning from Santa Barbara to L.A.’s San Pedro neighborhood, these islands are the best kept secret in the National Park system; with 2,000 species of plants and animals, including 145 endemics. Now the swath of ocean that has kept these remote islands protected is effortlessly traversed aboard our expedition ships. Explore the islands by walking miles of trails, paddling around the islands, snorkeling, or photographing landscapes and bird colonies. Hike in a Torrey Pine grove, one of only two on Earth, through a river of pinecones to a picnic lunch perched high above with sweeping views of the land and natural harbor. See iconic animals—American bison, bald eagles, and Channel Island fox. Learn about the islands’ human history too, from early ranches to their current protected status; and visit the famous community of Avalon, a haven for movie stars in Hollywood’s golden era.
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